A Parent’s Guide to the Internet

By
Melissa Maypole on
01-10-2013

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There’s so much content on the Internet today that it can be overwhelming and even scary for parents of kids who are venturing onto the Web. While you may want to err on the side of caution and ban your kid from the Internet altogether, with the abundance of laptops, Smartphones, tablets, and even Internet-enabled game consoles out there, this can be difficult, if not impossible, to do. If your child is just starting to express interest in surfing the Web, or if you feel the need to set some new boundaries, here are a few tips to help you in establishing some guidelines.

The World Wide Web

The worldwide web is a big place and one that is getting bigger all the time. While not all sites are bad and some can even be educational, it’s important that your child know the difference. Before unleashing her into cyberspace, talk to your kid about avoiding sites that make references to violence, alcohol, drugs, and sex.

Social Media Networks

The decision to let your child participate on social media networks is a personal one, and you’ll want to consider your child’s age, personality, and behavior before making the final call. If you do allow your child to interact on such platforms, you’ll want to let her know the dangers of posting inappropriate content as well as the risks involved with communicating with strangers on the Web.

Social Gaming

Social gaming is a relatively new concept, so if you’re not a gamer yourself, you may not be aware of this phenomenon. Up until recent years, computer games and the Internet were mutually exclusive, but this is no longer the case. Now, when your child is playing a game, there’s a good chance that he is also online, and he may be playing or chatting with others. While not all of these games are bad, at the very least, you should discuss the threat of online predators with your child before allowing him to participate.

As we all know, talking to your child about what they should and should not do isn’t always enough. Sometimes, it’s necessary to use other measures in order to keep your child safe both on and offline. Fortunately, there are online tools you can use to ensure this extra layer of protection. Parental control apps like Qustodio can help you monitor and even manage your child’s online activity, keeping her safe from cyberbullying, inappropriate web content, online predators, and more.

Enjoy the peace of mind of knowing that your child can surf the Web safely. Download Qustodio now.